Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-27516

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 14 May 2024
Current Status: Answered by Siobhian Brown on 22 May 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will review its policies aimed at tackling sectarianism to assess their effectiveness and report any findings to the Parliament.

The Scottish Government remains committed to tackling all forms of prejudice and discrimination, including sectarianism. Football has a role to play in tackling sectarianism but, like all societal problems, it manifests across society and therefore our approach to tackling it cannot be confined to football alone.

Since 2012, we have invested over £16.5 million to tackle sectarianism and as Minister for Victims and Community Safety, I have committed £402,000 in 2024-25 for projects working in schools, colleges, workplaces and communities providing opportunities for learning and engagement with children and adults, delivered through Sense over Sectarianism, Nil by Mouth, Sacro, Youth Scotland, The Fair Play Foundation, Youthlink Scotland and The North Kelvin Sports Development Group. This work is monitored and reviewed annually to ensure it continues to make an impact including within football.

The Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport works closely with both the Scottish Football Association and Scottish Premier Football League on all matters related to football participation and governance. As part of this on-going engagement, Ministers last met with the SFA on 20 December 2023 and the SPFL on 1st February 2024 to consider how we can use the power of football and its exceptional reach in communities right across the country to deliver positive outcomes on a wide range of societal problems including sectarianism.

Question reference: S6W-24007

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 May 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 6 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of any impact that the UK Government’s reported proposals to replace the additional “limited capability for work and work-related activity” element in Universal Credit (UC) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) with a new “health element” will have on Scottish social security benefits; what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding any such impact, and what action it can take to mitigate any negative impact on people receiving Scottish social security benefits that may result from these proposals.

Question reference: S6W-27698

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 May 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 6 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-26254 by Tom Arthur on 27 March 2024, by what date it expects to have completed its analysis and feasibility exercise regarding a Community Wealth Building Bill.

Question reference: S6W-27715

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 May 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 6 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to support GPs and primary care teams to widen access to nature prescriptions.

Question reference: S6W-27732

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 21 May 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 6 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has considered expanding the number of salmon rivers that are classified as category 3, in light of the record low salmon catch recorded in the Scottish salmon and sea trout fishery statistics for 2023.

Question reference: S6W-27700

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 May 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 5 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has assessed the number of prisoners that will be released early in (a) North Lanarkshire, (b) South Lanarkshire and (c) Falkirk, in light of the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024.

Question reference: S6W-27566

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 May 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 5 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether the tenure of Professor Anna Glasier OBE as Women’s Health Champion will be extended beyond the end of June 2024.

Question reference: S6W-27701

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 May 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 5 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with the Department for Work and Pensions regarding any potential impact on devolved benefits in Scotland of the proposed early release of prisoners, in light of the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024.

Question reference: S6W-27699

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 May 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 5 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-27126 by Tom Arthur on 13 May 2024, in light of the recent ministerial reshuffle, whether it still plans to report on the findings of the independent review prior to summer recess in 2024.

Question reference: S6W-27702

Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 20 May 2024
Current Status: Answer expected on 5 June 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what engagement it has had with alcohol and drug partnerships regarding the proposed early release of prisoners, in light of the statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs on 16 May 2024.

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